Gallaty researched the topic of alcohol strength and sought the expertise of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Research Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology Charles Quarles. In biblical times, people drank heavily diluted wine—a solution that protected them from bacteria-infested water and drunkenness.
“A careful study of the Mishnah and Talmuds [Jewish texts] shows that the normal dilution rate among the Jews was three parts water to one part wine,” wrote Quarles. “[T]his was very likely the commonly accepted dilution rate among Jews of the [New Testament] era as well. This dilution rate reduces the alcohol content of New Testament wine to 2.75 to 3.0 percent.”
Gallaty then showed a chart he created comparing the alcohol content of some of today’s beverages—including whiskey, Marsala wine, and light beers. The alcoholic beverages of today are staggeringly stronger than that of the diluted wine in biblical times.
Drunkenness Is a Sin
Throughout the Bible, God speaks against drunkenness. Nothing good comes from consuming too much alcohol. When people consume large amounts of alcohol, their cognitive abilities are impaired, and they can then be tempted by other sins as well.
The pastor mentioned Galatians 5:19 where Paul addresses “acts of the flesh.” Drunkenness can lead to sexual immorality, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, and hatred.
Gallaty prompted listeners to make it personal. He posted a sentence on the screen, “Don’t get drunk which leads to _________.” While allowing time for people to ponder and respond silently, he made the point that the answer is different for everyone.
“In essence,” the pastor mentioned, “here’s what he’s saying: Be careful how you live. Pay very close attention to things in your life that could cause you to go astray. Let me ask you a question: How many people in here have a big dog or a medium-size dog in a small backyard? Anybody have two dogs in a small backyard? Anybody bold enough or crazy enough—like us at one time—to have three dogs in a backyard?”
Gallaty continued, “Do you ever walk at night, in the dark, barefoot? Never! Why? Because you may step on something you will regret. So if you won’t walk in the dark in the backyard in a grassy area because of dogs, then what he’s saying is don’t you dare walk in this world as unwise people, not taking account of how you’re living.”
“What he’s saying is watch how you’re living to make sure you don’t stumble into something that’s going to cause harm,” Gallaty said.
When quoting Ephesians 5:15-18, Gallaty took it a step further. “Here’s the point Paul’s making: you cannot be full of the Spirit and drunk at the same time.” He continued, “You can’t be full of the Spirit and buzzed at the same time.”
Some may argue that they drink to get buzzed, but not drunk. But Gallaty didn’t fall for that argument. “I used to drink. The problem was I never knew the line between buzzed and drunk.” If one drinks to get buzzed, the effects of the alcohol inhibit your ability to determine when you’ve had enough. Neither buzzed or drunk is sober.
